EIA updates short-term bioenergy forecast

The U.S. Energy Information Administration has released the July edition of its Short-Term Energy Outlook, predicting total renewables used in the electric power sector will increase by 11.2 percent in 2016 and 3.9 percent in 2017. Generation from renewables other than hydropower is forecast to grow by 13.4 percent in 2016 and 9.3 percent in 2017.

U.S. electricity generation from wood biomass is expected to reach 113,000 MWh per day this year, increasing to 116,000 MWh per day in 2017. Generation from waste biomass is expected to be 59,000 MWh per day in 2016 and 2017.

The electric power sector is expected to consume 0.246 quadrillion Btu (quad) of wood biomass this year, increasing to 0.264 quad in 2017. The sector is also expected to consume 0.278 quad this year, falling to 0.274 quad next year.

The industrial sector is expected to consume 1.248 quad of wood biomass in 2016, calling to 1.238 quad next year. The sector is also expected to consume 0.191 quad of waste biomass this year, increasing to 0.193 quad next year.

The commercial sector is expected to consume 0.076 quad of wood biomass this year, increasing to 0.078 quad next year. In addition, the commercial sector is also expected to consume 0.047 quad of waste biomass in both 2016 and 2017.

The residential sector is expected to consume 0.411 quad of wood biomass this year, increasing to 0.426 quad next year.

The EIA also recently released the June edition of its Electric Power Monthly report, which includes data for April. According to the report, 222.1 MW of bioenergy capacity was added in April, including 159.9 MW from wood and wood waste biomass, 38.1 MW from landfill gas, 1 MW from municipal solid waste, and 23.1 MW from other forms of waste biomass. Over the next 12 months, the EIA currently predicts an additional 113.4 MW of bioenergy capacity will be added in the U.S., including 62.5 MW of capacity from wood and wood waste biomass, 25.1 MW from landfill gas, and 25.8 MW from other forms of waste biomass.